Muhammad Ali’s Final 30 Minutes Were A Metaphor For His Life

Muhammad Ali passed away at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday evening, surrounded by his family. The former trash-talking heavyweight champion was 74. Ali battled Parkinson’s disease for 35 years and his condition worsened in the later years of his life. He was eventually killed by septic shock. According to family members, Ali was unable to speak when he was taken to the hospital on Monday and remained in that state until his death.

Though he wasn’t able to communicate verbally in his last hours, the boxing legend known as “The Greatest” still found a way to send an unmistakable message. Boxing is about never giving up, and Ali showed that at the very end. Even after his major organs had failed, Ali still refused to concede the fight. Hana Ali, one of Muhammad’s daughters, revealed in a powerful tweet that her father’s heart continued to beat for 30 minutes after the rest of his organs had failed.

“All of his organs failed but his HEART wouldn’t stop beating. For 30 minutes…his heart just kept beating. No one had ever seen anything like it. A true testament to the strength of his Spirit and Will! Thank you all for your love and support!!!” Hana Ali wrote.

Ali’s funeral is scheduled for Friday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Bryan Gumbel and former president Bill Clinton will reportedly be involved in the eulogy at the memorial service.